US5978063A - Smart spacers for active matrix liquid crystal projection light valves - Google Patents

Smart spacers for active matrix liquid crystal projection light valves Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US5978063A
US5978063A US08/842,586 US84258697A US5978063A US 5978063 A US5978063 A US 5978063A US 84258697 A US84258697 A US 84258697A US 5978063 A US5978063 A US 5978063A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
spacing elements
display cell
axis
liquid crystal
substrate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US08/842,586
Inventor
Gregory P. Crawford
Jackson Ho
Original Assignee
Xerox Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
US case filed in International Trade Commission litigation Critical https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/International%20Trade%20Commission/case/337-TA-749 Source: International Trade Commission Jurisdiction: International Trade Commission "Unified Patents Litigation Data" by Unified Patents is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
US case filed in International Trade Commission litigation https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/International%20Trade%20Commission/case/337-TA-741 Source: International Trade Commission Jurisdiction: International Trade Commission "Unified Patents Litigation Data" by Unified Patents is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
US case filed in Delaware District Court litigation https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Delaware%20District%20Court/case/1%3A10-cv-00789 Source: District Court Jurisdiction: Delaware District Court "Unified Patents Litigation Data" by Unified Patents is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
US case filed in Delaware District Court litigation https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Delaware%20District%20Court/case/1%3A10-cv-00626 Source: District Court Jurisdiction: Delaware District Court "Unified Patents Litigation Data" by Unified Patents is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
US case filed in Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit litigation https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Court%20of%20Appeals%20for%20the%20Federal%20Circuit/case/2012-1536 Source: Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Jurisdiction: Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit "Unified Patents Litigation Data" by Unified Patents is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=25287722&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=US5978063(A) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Assigned to XEROX CORPORATION reassignment XEROX CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HO, JACKSON, CRAWFORD, GREGORY P.
Priority to US08/842,586 priority Critical patent/US5978063A/en
Application filed by Xerox Corp filed Critical Xerox Corp
Priority to JP10281098A priority patent/JP4530437B2/en
Publication of US5978063A publication Critical patent/US5978063A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Assigned to BANK ONE, NA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT reassignment BANK ONE, NA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: XEROX CORPORATION
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: XEROX CORPORATION
Assigned to XEROX CORPORATION reassignment XEROX CORPORATION RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, NA
Assigned to XEROX CORPORATION reassignment XEROX CORPORATION RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BANK ONE, NA
Assigned to XEROX CORPORATION reassignment XEROX CORPORATION RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO BANK ONE NA
Priority to JP2009006064A priority patent/JP2009104166A/en
Assigned to THOMSON LICENSING reassignment THOMSON LICENSING ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: THOMSON LICENSING LLC
Assigned to THOMSON LICENSING LLC reassignment THOMSON LICENSING LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED, XEROX CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Assigned to XEROX CORPORATION reassignment XEROX CORPORATION RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1339Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
    • G02F1/13394Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells spacers regularly patterned on the cell subtrate, e.g. walls, pillars
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1337Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers
    • G02F1/13378Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers by treatment of the surface, e.g. embossing, rubbing or light irradiation
    • G02F1/133784Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers by treatment of the surface, e.g. embossing, rubbing or light irradiation by rubbing

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to displays and more particularly concerns an active matrix liquid crystal display cell in which smart spacers are provided having an anisotropic shape.
  • AM LCD Active matrix liquid crystal displays
  • the AM LCD is generally constructed using a rear glass layer with an addressing element and pixel ITO electrodes, a liquid crystal layer, and a front glass layer with addressing elements and pixel ITO electrodes.
  • the cell gap spacing between the front and rear glass layers should remain uniform for consistent light propagation through the AM LCD.
  • Several conventional ways are known to assemble AM LCDs and achieve uniform cell gap spacing within desired tolerance levels.
  • FIG. 2 shows a conventional vacuum sealed plastic bag technique of assembling a liquid crystal display cell similar to the vacuum chuck or vacuum press method.
  • the liquid crystal display cell includes a bottom substrate 12, a top substrate 14, a seal 16, liquid crystal material 18 and many randomly placed spacers 20.
  • a vacuumed sealed plastic bag exerts the pressing force 24 on the liquid crystal display cell.
  • the seal 16 is cured using either ultraviolet light or heat depending on the type of seal 16.
  • FIG. 3 shows a conventional balloon method of assembly a liquid crystal display cell.
  • the liquid crystal display cell includes a bottom substrate 12, a top substrate 14, a seal 16, liquid crystal material 18 and many randomly placed spacers 20.
  • a balloon 30 and a thermal chuck hot plate 32 exert the pressing force 24 and cure the seal 16.
  • the seal 16 is therefore thermally cured.
  • the thermal chuck hot plate 32 may be replaced with glass and the liquid crystal display cell may be back irradiated with the ultraviolet light.
  • FIG. 4 shows a top view of a liquid crystal display cell assembled using any one of the vacuum chuck method, the vacuum sealed plastic bag method or the balloon method.
  • a nine pixel arrangement is shown merely for illustrative purposes even though the actual number of pixels will be much greater.
  • the liquid crystal display cell is divided into an active aperture area 34 and a non-active area 36 with the spacers 20 randomly distributed throughout both the active aperture area 34 and the non-active area 36.
  • the above-described conventional methods produce liquid crystal display cells with uniform cell thicknesses having acceptable tolerances.
  • problems tend to occur as the size of the active aperture area 34 diminishes.
  • the size of the active aperture area 34 may be of the same order of magnitude as the spacers 20.
  • the spacers 20 overlap or rest on the active aperture area 34, they may occupy approximately 15% of the active aperture area 34, which significantly disrupts the performance of the liquid crystal display cell and degrades the resulting image.
  • the spacers 20 disturb the liquid crystal profile around the spacers 20 which further degrades the resulting image, (i.e., reduces the brightness and contrast).
  • the randomly placed spacers 20 may not be merely removed to leave the spacers 20 in the seal 16 as shown in FIG. 5 because the pressing force 24 results in a bend in the top substrate 14 that distorts the entire liquid crystal display cell and results in unacceptable image quality.
  • the spacers may also be engineered to be highly anisotropic in shape so as to be compatible with the aggressive mechanical rubbing process of the LCD assembly.
  • the distribution and number of the spacers may also be precisely controlled.
  • the positioning of the spacers may be decided and controlled by a mask design using photolithography techniques. Further, the spacers may be very narrow so that their influence on the liquid crystal director-field can be contained in non-active areas to avoid projecting defect regions on the screen. Precise thickness control may be achieved using spin coating techniques or CVD technologies.
  • the smart spacers may be fabricated on either the active matrix plate or on the cover plate.
  • FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one method of assembling a liquid crystal display cell
  • FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another method of assembling a liquid crystal display cell
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another method of assembling a liquid crystal display cell
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of yet another method of assembling a liquid crystal display cell
  • FIG. 6 shows a top view of a bottom substrate
  • FIG. 7 shows a side view of one spacer of the present invention
  • FIG. 8 shows a top view of one spacer according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 shows a rubbing process according to the present invention.
  • FIGS. 10a-10c show various placements of spacers
  • FIG. 11 shows a top view of one spacer on a substrate according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 shows a side view of a liquid crystal display cell with a conventional spacer showing a disrupted region.
  • spacers are photolithographically formed in non-active areas 36 of the bottom substrate 12.
  • the spacers 54 may be photolithographically formed from a deposited dielectric such as CVD oxide, nitride and/or oxy/nitride.
  • the spacers of the present invention do not overlap into the active areas 34.
  • the spacers are anisotropic in shape to withstand the LCD assembly processes including the mechanical rubbing. Their shape is also optimized to be outside of the active areas 34 so that the influence they have on the liquid crystal director-field is contained within the non-active area 36.
  • the spacer distribution and count is precisely controlled based on a mask design for well known photolithography techniques as is well known to one skilled in the art.
  • FIG. 7 shows a side view of a spacer 54 of the present invention that may be formed using a mask and the negative photoreactive polyimide.
  • Spacer 54 is anisotropic in shape as it includes first side 56 along an X direction (also known as the long axis) and a second side 58 along a Y direction (not shown in FIG. 7).
  • the anisotropic shape of spacer 54 refers to a longer side along the X direction compared to the shorter side along the Y direction.
  • the spacer 54 is preferably 12 ⁇ m along the X direction and 4 ⁇ m along the Y direction. However, these dimensions are variable depending on the display pixel design.
  • the positioning of the spacer 54 is decided by a mask design as is well known to one skilled in the art. By controlling the mask design, the spacer distribution and count may also be controlled. Further, the spacers 54 can be made of sufficient size that their influence in the liquid crystal director field can be contained in non-active areas 36 to avoid projecting defect regions onto the screen. The precise thickness of the spacer 54 in the Z direction can be achieved by spin coating techniques or CVD technology as is well known to one skilled in the art.
  • the cell gap of Z-height is on the order of 5 ⁇ m for LC materials with an optical anisotrophy, ⁇ n, of 0.09-0.1.
  • the Z-height strongly depends on the ⁇ n of the LC being used.
  • FIG. 8 shows a top view of spacer 54 in which corner sides 60 are provided between each of the first sides 56 and second sides 58.
  • This provides a shape that enables spacers 54 to withstand the rubbing process and control their influence in the liquid crystal director field.
  • the corner sides 60 solve interference problems of the prior art caused by the closeness of the spacers with the active areas 34.
  • the corner sides 60 may also be rounded or curved.
  • FIG. 9 shows a conventional LCD rubbing process using a roller 50 that rolls along the X direction (long axis) of the spacers 54.
  • the spacers of the present invention withstand the rubbing process due to their anisotropic shape.
  • Prior art spacers that are post-like are easily destroyed by the rubbing process.
  • the top substrate 14 may be applied in conventional ways to form the complete liquid crystal cell.
  • the spacers position depends on the mask design that is used to selectively position the spacers.
  • spacers 54 may be placed at the intersection of the data lines 57 and the scan lines 59 of the LCD so that they are hidden from and therefore contained only in the non-active areas 36. Due to the anisotropic shape, the spacers 54 are not provided in the active areas 34.
  • FIG. 10a shows an embodiment in which spacers 54 are provided at the intersection of each data line 57 and scan line 59.
  • FIG. 10b shows an embodiment in which spacers 54 are provided at every fourth intersections.
  • FIG. 10c shows an embodiment in which spacers 54 are randomly distributed throughout the substrate 12.
  • Other mask designs provide spacers at every sixteen intersections or every thirty-two intersections. Again, the spacer distribution and count is precisely controlled based on the mask design. Ideally, the number of spacers 54 is minimized to ensure optimal optical performance.
  • FIG. 11 shows four active areas 34 and one spacer element 54 provided within the intersection of the data line 57 and scan line 59.
  • the spacer 54 includes both first sides 56 along the X direction (long axis), second sides 58 along the Y direction (short axis) and corner sides 60 between the first and second sides.
  • the width of the spacer in the Y direction is preferably 3-5 micrometers.
  • each respective corner side 60 is provided at least 11/2 micrometers away from each active area 34.
  • the spacer 54 of the present invention is constructed to be narrow and anisotropic so that the liquid crystal director field has ample distance to maintain its optimal twisted form in the active pixel areas 34 and in addition is compatible with the LCD assembly process.
  • the spacer 54 may also be fabricated onto the top surface 14.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Nonlinear Science (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal (AREA)
  • Electroluminescent Light Sources (AREA)

Abstract

A liquid crystal display is provided having two substrates. One substrate includes active aperture areas and a non-active area. A spacing layer is provided between the two substrates and includes spacing elements of anisotropic shape and geometry. The anisotropic spacing elements are formed only within the non-active areas of the substrate. A method of manufacturing is also provided including mechanically rubbing the liquid crystal display after the spacing elements are formed on the one substrate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to displays and more particularly concerns an active matrix liquid crystal display cell in which smart spacers are provided having an anisotropic shape.
2. Description of Related Art
Active matrix liquid crystal displays (AM LCD) have a variety of uses including being used as the projection element in rear projection monitors. The AM LCD is generally constructed using a rear glass layer with an addressing element and pixel ITO electrodes, a liquid crystal layer, and a front glass layer with addressing elements and pixel ITO electrodes. The cell gap spacing between the front and rear glass layers should remain uniform for consistent light propagation through the AM LCD. Several conventional ways are known to assemble AM LCDs and achieve uniform cell gap spacing within desired tolerance levels.
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a convention vacuum chuck or vacuum press method of assembling a liquid crystal display cell. In this method, a vacuum chuck 10 asserts a pressing force 24 upon a liquid crystal display cell. The liquid crystal display cell includes a bottom substrate 12, a top substrate 14, a seal 16 being an epoxy seal or other form of adhesive glue, liquid crystal material 18, and many randomly placed spacers 20. The spacers 20 are typically spherical glass beads or cylindrical micro-fibers and are randomly placed on the bottom substrate 12 using the techniques of the well known dry cloud method or the well known solvent dispersed method. Additionally, some spacers 20 are placed in the seal 16. The liquid crystal display cell is covered with saran wrap or flexible plastic sheet 22 and an ultraviolet light 26 cures the seal 16 while the pressing force 24 compresses the bottom substrate 12 and the top substrate 14 together.
FIG. 2 shows a conventional vacuum sealed plastic bag technique of assembling a liquid crystal display cell similar to the vacuum chuck or vacuum press method. The liquid crystal display cell includes a bottom substrate 12, a top substrate 14, a seal 16, liquid crystal material 18 and many randomly placed spacers 20. However, in this method, a vacuumed sealed plastic bag exerts the pressing force 24 on the liquid crystal display cell. The seal 16 is cured using either ultraviolet light or heat depending on the type of seal 16.
FIG. 3 shows a conventional balloon method of assembly a liquid crystal display cell. Again, the liquid crystal display cell includes a bottom substrate 12, a top substrate 14, a seal 16, liquid crystal material 18 and many randomly placed spacers 20. A balloon 30 and a thermal chuck hot plate 32 exert the pressing force 24 and cure the seal 16. The seal 16 is therefore thermally cured. On the other hand, if an ultraviolet light cured seal is used then the thermal chuck hot plate 32 may be replaced with glass and the liquid crystal display cell may be back irradiated with the ultraviolet light.
FIG. 4 shows a top view of a liquid crystal display cell assembled using any one of the vacuum chuck method, the vacuum sealed plastic bag method or the balloon method. A nine pixel arrangement is shown merely for illustrative purposes even though the actual number of pixels will be much greater. The liquid crystal display cell is divided into an active aperture area 34 and a non-active area 36 with the spacers 20 randomly distributed throughout both the active aperture area 34 and the non-active area 36.
The above-described conventional methods produce liquid crystal display cells with uniform cell thicknesses having acceptable tolerances. However, problems tend to occur as the size of the active aperture area 34 diminishes. For example, in some projection displays the size of the active aperture area 34 may be of the same order of magnitude as the spacers 20. When the spacers 20 overlap or rest on the active aperture area 34, they may occupy approximately 15% of the active aperture area 34, which significantly disrupts the performance of the liquid crystal display cell and degrades the resulting image. Additionally, the spacers 20 disturb the liquid crystal profile around the spacers 20 which further degrades the resulting image, (i.e., reduces the brightness and contrast).
The randomly placed spacers 20 may not be merely removed to leave the spacers 20 in the seal 16 as shown in FIG. 5 because the pressing force 24 results in a bend in the top substrate 14 that distorts the entire liquid crystal display cell and results in unacceptable image quality.
"Improved Construction of Liquid Crystal Cells" by Maltese et al., Alta Frequenza, Vol. XLVII, No. 9, pages 664-667, September 1978, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses large multiplexed liquid crystal panels having distributed small-area spacers between plates to make a stiff structure.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/767,652, filed Dec. 17, 1996, the subject mater of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses at least one method of applying spacer elements randomly on a bottom substrate and subsequently removing the spacing elements from active areas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide spacers that are hidden and occupy space only on non-active areas of the liquid crystal cell.
The spacers may also be engineered to be highly anisotropic in shape so as to be compatible with the aggressive mechanical rubbing process of the LCD assembly. The distribution and number of the spacers may also be precisely controlled.
The positioning of the spacers may be decided and controlled by a mask design using photolithography techniques. Further, the spacers may be very narrow so that their influence on the liquid crystal director-field can be contained in non-active areas to avoid projecting defect regions on the screen. Precise thickness control may be achieved using spin coating techniques or CVD technologies. The smart spacers may be fabricated on either the active matrix plate or on the cover plate.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from reading the detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings which disclose preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description will be described with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one method of assembling a liquid crystal display cell;
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another method of assembling a liquid crystal display cell;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another method of assembling a liquid crystal display cell;
FIG. 4 shows a top view of a liquid crystal display cell assembled using one of the methods shown in FIGS. 1-3;
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of yet another method of assembling a liquid crystal display cell;
FIG. 6 shows a top view of a bottom substrate;
FIG. 7 shows a side view of one spacer of the present invention;
FIG. 8 shows a top view of one spacer according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 shows a rubbing process according to the present invention;
FIGS. 10a-10c show various placements of spacers;
FIG. 11 shows a top view of one spacer on a substrate according to the present invention; and
FIG. 12 shows a side view of a liquid crystal display cell with a conventional spacer showing a disrupted region.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 6 shows a bottom substrate 12 of a liquid crystal display cell having a four pixel arrangement. The actual number of pixels is preferably much greater than that shown and accordingly the present invention includes a greater number of pixels. The present invention is not limited to only the assembly of liquid crystal display cells but is also applicable to the assembly of any display cell having a bottom substrate 12 and a top substrate 14 that should remain closely and uniformly spaced apart such as field emitting displays (FED's), electroluminesce, etc.
The bottom substrate 12 includes active aperture areas 34 and non-active areas 36. The non-active area 36 is opaque and preferably does not transmit light in the ultraviolet (UV) range. The bottom substrate 12 is preferably coated with a thin coating of negative photoresist or negative UV curable polyimide (also cured affixing layer 35). The thickness of the thin coating should be in the range of approximately 0.1 microns to 0.5 microns and should be at least 0.05 microns, but generally no more than 1 micron and preferably 0.2 microns. If the thin coating gets too thick it may cause filling problems and disturb the liquid crystal profile.
After coating the bottom substrate 12 with a thin coating of negative photoresist or negative UV curable polyimide, spacers are photolithographically formed in non-active areas 36 of the bottom substrate 12. Alternatively, the spacers 54 may be photolithographically formed from a deposited dielectric such as CVD oxide, nitride and/or oxy/nitride. The spacers of the present invention do not overlap into the active areas 34. As discussed below, the spacers are anisotropic in shape to withstand the LCD assembly processes including the mechanical rubbing. Their shape is also optimized to be outside of the active areas 34 so that the influence they have on the liquid crystal director-field is contained within the non-active area 36. The spacer distribution and count is precisely controlled based on a mask design for well known photolithography techniques as is well known to one skilled in the art.
FIG. 7 shows a side view of a spacer 54 of the present invention that may be formed using a mask and the negative photoreactive polyimide. Spacer 54 is anisotropic in shape as it includes first side 56 along an X direction (also known as the long axis) and a second side 58 along a Y direction (not shown in FIG. 7). The anisotropic shape of spacer 54 refers to a longer side along the X direction compared to the shorter side along the Y direction. The spacer 54 is preferably 12 μm along the X direction and 4 μm along the Y direction. However, these dimensions are variable depending on the display pixel design. This enables the spacer 54 to withstand the mechanical rubbing process and to allow the positioning of the spacer 54 in the non-active areas 36 without interfering with the active areas 34. The positioning of the spacer 54 is decided by a mask design as is well known to one skilled in the art. By controlling the mask design, the spacer distribution and count may also be controlled. Further, the spacers 54 can be made of sufficient size that their influence in the liquid crystal director field can be contained in non-active areas 36 to avoid projecting defect regions onto the screen. The precise thickness of the spacer 54 in the Z direction can be achieved by spin coating techniques or CVD technology as is well known to one skilled in the art. Minimum display distances are typically required so the cell gap of Z-height is on the order of 5 μm for LC materials with an optical anisotrophy, Δn, of 0.09-0.1. The Z-height strongly depends on the Δn of the LC being used.
FIG. 8 shows a top view of spacer 54 in which corner sides 60 are provided between each of the first sides 56 and second sides 58. This provides a shape that enables spacers 54 to withstand the rubbing process and control their influence in the liquid crystal director field. The corner sides 60 solve interference problems of the prior art caused by the closeness of the spacers with the active areas 34. Although not shown, the corner sides 60 may also be rounded or curved.
FIG. 9 shows a conventional LCD rubbing process using a roller 50 that rolls along the X direction (long axis) of the spacers 54. Unlike prior art spacers, the spacers of the present invention withstand the rubbing process due to their anisotropic shape. Prior art spacers that are post-like are easily destroyed by the rubbing process. Subsequent to the rubbing process, the top substrate 14 may be applied in conventional ways to form the complete liquid crystal cell.
The spacers position depends on the mask design that is used to selectively position the spacers. As shown in FIG. 10a, spacers 54 may be placed at the intersection of the data lines 57 and the scan lines 59 of the LCD so that they are hidden from and therefore contained only in the non-active areas 36. Due to the anisotropic shape, the spacers 54 are not provided in the active areas 34. FIG. 10a shows an embodiment in which spacers 54 are provided at the intersection of each data line 57 and scan line 59. FIG. 10b shows an embodiment in which spacers 54 are provided at every fourth intersections. Finally, FIG. 10c shows an embodiment in which spacers 54 are randomly distributed throughout the substrate 12. Other mask designs provide spacers at every sixteen intersections or every thirty-two intersections. Again, the spacer distribution and count is precisely controlled based on the mask design. Ideally, the number of spacers 54 is minimized to ensure optimal optical performance.
For ease of illustration and understanding, FIG. 11 shows four active areas 34 and one spacer element 54 provided within the intersection of the data line 57 and scan line 59. The spacer 54 includes both first sides 56 along the X direction (long axis), second sides 58 along the Y direction (short axis) and corner sides 60 between the first and second sides. The width of the spacer in the Y direction is preferably 3-5 micrometers. In such an embodiment, each respective corner side 60 is provided at least 11/2 micrometers away from each active area 34.
This construction minimizes the effect of the spacer 54 on the nematic director field. For example, in conventional architectures, if the liquid crystal molecules come into contact with the spacer 20, the surface forces on the spacer 20 destruct the liquid crystal configuration away from its conventionally twisted form as shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, part of the active areas 34 may include a disrupted region caused by the prior art spacer 20. Contrarily, the spacer 54 of the present invention is constructed to be narrow and anisotropic so that the liquid crystal director field has ample distance to maintain its optimal twisted form in the active pixel areas 34 and in addition is compatible with the LCD assembly process.
The above embodiments have been described with reference to the spacer 54 being fabricated onto the bottom substrate 12. However, the spacer 54 may also be fabricated onto the top surface 14.
While the above invention has been described with respect to the preferred embodiments, many modifications and variations are apparent from the description of the invention, and all such modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:
1. A display cell comprising:
two substrates with at least one of said two substrates divided into an active aperture area and a non-active area;
a spacing layer, interposed between said two substrates, the spacing layer including an affixing layer and a plurality of spacing elements separate from one another, said spacing elements being anisotropic in shape, the affixing layer covering at least a portion of the non-active area and remaining substantially outside of the active aperture area, wherein said two substrates are affixed to each other after one of the two substrates and the plurality of spacing elements have been mechanically rubbed, the two substrates remaining substantially uniformly separated from each other by said spacing elements.
2. The display cell of claim 1, wherein the spacing elements are formed using a mask.
3. The display cell of claim 1, wherein the spacing elements are prevented from being formed within the active aperture area.
4. The display cell of claim 1, wherein the spacing elements extend along a first axis and along a second axis shorter than the first axis.
5. The display cell of claim 4, wherein one of the spacing elements is approximately 12 microns along the first axis and 4 microns along the second axis.
6. The display cell of claim 4, wherein the spacing elements are uniformly thick as measured along a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes.
7. The display cell of claim 6, wherein one of the spacing elements is approximately 5 microns along the third axis.
8. The display cell of claim 1, wherein the display cell is a liquid crystal display cell and further comprises a liquid crystal layer interposed between said two substrates.
9. The display cell of claim 1, wherein the affixing layer comprising a negative photoresist.
10. The display cell of claim 1, wherein the affixing layer is from approximately 0.05 microns to approximately 1 micron thick.
11. A method of forming a display cell comprising:
providing a first substrate which has been partitioned into an active aperture area and a non-active area and has a front surface and a rear surface;
forming a plurality of spacing elements separate from one another on the front surface and non-active areas of said first substrate, the spacing elements being anisotropic in shape;
mechanically rubbing over the first substrate having the plurality of spacing elements formed thereon; and
attaching a second substrate on the front surface of said first substrate, said second substrate being kept at a substantially uniform distance from said first substrate by said spacing elements.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the spacing elements extend along a first axis and along a second axis shorter than the first axis.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein one of the spacing elements is approximately 12 microns along the first axis and 4 microns along the second axis.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the spacing elements are rubbed along the first axis.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the mechanical rubbing controls a thickness of the spacing elements measured in a direction orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis.
16. The method of claim 15, where the thickness is approximately 5 microns.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the forming step comprises photolithographically forming the spacing elements having the anisotropic shape using a mask.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the display cell is a liquid crystal display cell and further comprises providing a liquid crystal layer interposed between said first and second substrates.
19. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a negative photoresist layer between the first substrate and the second substrate.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the negative photoresist layer is from approximately 0.05 microns to approximately 1 micron thick.
US08/842,586 1997-04-15 1997-04-15 Smart spacers for active matrix liquid crystal projection light valves Expired - Lifetime US5978063A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/842,586 US5978063A (en) 1997-04-15 1997-04-15 Smart spacers for active matrix liquid crystal projection light valves
JP10281098A JP4530437B2 (en) 1997-04-15 1998-04-14 Flat display
JP2009006064A JP2009104166A (en) 1997-04-15 2009-01-14 Display cell and manufacturing method thereof

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/842,586 US5978063A (en) 1997-04-15 1997-04-15 Smart spacers for active matrix liquid crystal projection light valves

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5978063A true US5978063A (en) 1999-11-02

Family

ID=25287722

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/842,586 Expired - Lifetime US5978063A (en) 1997-04-15 1997-04-15 Smart spacers for active matrix liquid crystal projection light valves

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US5978063A (en)
JP (2) JP4530437B2 (en)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6275277B1 (en) * 1999-05-17 2001-08-14 Colorado Microdisplay, Inc. Micro liquid crystal displays having a circular cover glass and a viewing area free of spacers
EP1154308A1 (en) 2000-05-12 2001-11-14 Sony Corporation Liquid crystal display device
US6465268B2 (en) * 1997-05-22 2002-10-15 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing an electro-optical device
US20030160930A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2003-08-28 Ling-Yuan Tseng Method for forming spacers of micro-displays
US20030173567A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2003-09-18 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US6638781B1 (en) 1999-07-06 2003-10-28 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US6642987B2 (en) * 2001-09-19 2003-11-04 Intel Corporation Built-in spacers for liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) devices
US6655788B1 (en) 2002-05-17 2003-12-02 Viztec Inc. Composite structure for enhanced flexibility of electro-optic displays with sliding layers
US6667790B2 (en) * 1999-02-05 2003-12-23 Hitachi, Ltd. Liquid crystal display having particular spacer
US20040169793A1 (en) * 2002-04-04 2004-09-02 Masumitsu Ino Liquid crystal display
US6816224B1 (en) * 1999-03-04 2004-11-09 National Semiconductor Corporation Single metal pixel array for light valve utilizing lateral sublithographic spacer isolation
KR100480694B1 (en) * 2001-09-29 2005-04-06 엘지전자 주식회사 Reflective type Liquid Crystal Display Device
US20050156174A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2005-07-21 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Capacitor, semiconductor device, and manufacturing method thereof
US7002659B1 (en) 1999-11-30 2006-02-21 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal projector
US20060220021A1 (en) * 2000-01-20 2006-10-05 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
US8530896B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2013-09-10 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device comprising a pixel unit including an auxiliary capacitor
CN103576373A (en) * 2012-08-02 2014-02-12 瀚宇彩晶股份有限公司 Liquid crystal display panel

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3863332A (en) * 1973-06-28 1975-02-04 Hughes Aircraft Co Method of fabricating back panel for liquid crystal display
US3978580A (en) * 1973-06-28 1976-09-07 Hughes Aircraft Company Method of fabricating a liquid crystal display
US4685770A (en) * 1984-01-09 1987-08-11 Vdo Adolf Schindling Ag Display device, particularly a liquid crystal display, and method for the manufacture thereof
US4712875A (en) * 1985-05-15 1987-12-15 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Dimensions of spacer particles for a ferroelectric liquid crystal display
US4763995A (en) * 1983-04-28 1988-08-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Spacers with alignment effect and substrates having a weak alignment effect
US4775225A (en) * 1985-05-16 1988-10-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid crystal device having pillar spacers with small base periphery width in direction perpendicular to orientation treatment
US4983429A (en) * 1987-07-13 1991-01-08 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Process for producing cells for liquid crystal display devices
US5499128A (en) * 1993-03-15 1996-03-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Liquid crystal display device with acrylic polymer spacers and method of manufacturing the same
US5707785A (en) * 1996-01-22 1998-01-13 Industrial Technology Research Institute Spacers for liquid crystal displays
US5739882A (en) * 1991-11-18 1998-04-14 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. LCD polymerized column spacer formed on a modified substrate, from an acrylic resin, on a surface having hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions, or at regular spacings

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04240622A (en) * 1991-01-24 1992-08-27 Seiko Epson Corp Liquid crystal electrooptical element
JP3391485B2 (en) * 1992-12-10 2003-03-31 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Manufacturing method of liquid crystal element
JP3638346B2 (en) * 1995-09-06 2005-04-13 東芝電子エンジニアリング株式会社 Liquid crystal display element

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3863332A (en) * 1973-06-28 1975-02-04 Hughes Aircraft Co Method of fabricating back panel for liquid crystal display
US3978580A (en) * 1973-06-28 1976-09-07 Hughes Aircraft Company Method of fabricating a liquid crystal display
US4763995A (en) * 1983-04-28 1988-08-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Spacers with alignment effect and substrates having a weak alignment effect
US4685770A (en) * 1984-01-09 1987-08-11 Vdo Adolf Schindling Ag Display device, particularly a liquid crystal display, and method for the manufacture thereof
US4712875A (en) * 1985-05-15 1987-12-15 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Dimensions of spacer particles for a ferroelectric liquid crystal display
US4775225A (en) * 1985-05-16 1988-10-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid crystal device having pillar spacers with small base periphery width in direction perpendicular to orientation treatment
US4983429A (en) * 1987-07-13 1991-01-08 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Process for producing cells for liquid crystal display devices
US5739882A (en) * 1991-11-18 1998-04-14 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. LCD polymerized column spacer formed on a modified substrate, from an acrylic resin, on a surface having hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions, or at regular spacings
US5499128A (en) * 1993-03-15 1996-03-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Liquid crystal display device with acrylic polymer spacers and method of manufacturing the same
US5707785A (en) * 1996-01-22 1998-01-13 Industrial Technology Research Institute Spacers for liquid crystal displays

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"Improved Construction of Liquid Crystal Cells" by Maltese et al., Alta Frequenza, vol. XLVII, No. 9, pp. 664-667, Sep. 1978.
Improved Construction of Liquid Crystal Cells by Maltese et al., Alta Frequenza, vol. XLVII, No. 9, pp. 664 667, Sep. 1978. *

Cited By (54)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8045125B2 (en) 1997-05-22 2011-10-25 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display device having a gap retaining member made of resin formed directly over the driver circuit
US8854593B2 (en) 1997-05-22 2014-10-07 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Electro-optical device
US6465268B2 (en) * 1997-05-22 2002-10-15 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing an electro-optical device
US20040218112A1 (en) * 1997-05-22 2004-11-04 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Electro-optical device
US20040207789A1 (en) * 1997-05-22 2004-10-21 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Electro-optical device
US6743650B2 (en) 1997-05-22 2004-06-01 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing an electro-optical device
US20050157238A1 (en) * 1999-02-05 2005-07-21 Hitachi, Ltd. Liquid crystal display
US20070206145A1 (en) * 1999-02-05 2007-09-06 Hitachi, Ltd. Liquid crystal display having particular electrodes and particular common line
US6667790B2 (en) * 1999-02-05 2003-12-23 Hitachi, Ltd. Liquid crystal display having particular spacer
US20040046922A1 (en) * 1999-02-05 2004-03-11 Hitachi, Ltd. Liquid crystal display
US7030953B2 (en) 1999-02-05 2006-04-18 Hitachi, Ltd. Liquid crystal display with gate lines and an edge of the black matrix elongated parallel to an initial orientation direction
US7248325B2 (en) 1999-02-05 2007-07-24 Hitachi, Ltd. Liquid crystal display having particular electrodes and particular common line
US20090122249A1 (en) * 1999-02-05 2009-05-14 Hitachi, Ltd. Liquid crystal display having particular electrodes and a spacer
US7453541B2 (en) 1999-02-05 2008-11-18 Hitachi, Ltd. Liquid crystal display having particular electrodes and a spacer
US6816224B1 (en) * 1999-03-04 2004-11-09 National Semiconductor Corporation Single metal pixel array for light valve utilizing lateral sublithographic spacer isolation
US20030173567A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2003-09-18 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US8502232B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2013-08-06 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Capacitor, semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
US8314426B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2012-11-20 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US20080174710A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2008-07-24 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Capacitor, semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
US6909115B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2005-06-21 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co. Ltd. Semiconductor device applying to the crystalline semiconductor film
US8026518B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2011-09-27 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co. Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US20050156174A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2005-07-21 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Capacitor, semiconductor device, and manufacturing method thereof
US7391055B1 (en) 1999-05-14 2008-06-24 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Capacitor, semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
US7696514B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2010-04-13 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Active matrix display device having a column-like spacer
US7330234B2 (en) 1999-05-14 2008-02-12 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device
US20100195012A1 (en) * 1999-05-14 2010-08-05 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US6825909B2 (en) * 1999-05-17 2004-11-30 Brillian Corporation Micro liquid crystal displays
US6275277B1 (en) * 1999-05-17 2001-08-14 Colorado Microdisplay, Inc. Micro liquid crystal displays having a circular cover glass and a viewing area free of spacers
US7173281B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2007-02-06 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US9052551B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2015-06-09 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US20060151791A1 (en) * 1999-07-06 2006-07-13 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US8859353B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2014-10-14 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof
US9786787B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2017-10-10 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof
US6638781B1 (en) 1999-07-06 2003-10-28 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US9395584B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2016-07-19 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US20090040445A1 (en) * 1999-07-06 2009-02-12 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US9343570B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2016-05-17 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof
US7605902B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2009-10-20 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US20040084673A1 (en) * 1999-07-06 2004-05-06 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US9069215B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2015-06-30 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US7808009B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2010-10-05 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
US8530896B2 (en) 1999-07-06 2013-09-10 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device comprising a pixel unit including an auxiliary capacitor
US7002659B1 (en) 1999-11-30 2006-02-21 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal projector
US7429751B2 (en) 2000-01-20 2008-09-30 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
US20060220021A1 (en) * 2000-01-20 2006-10-05 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
EP1154308A1 (en) 2000-05-12 2001-11-14 Sony Corporation Liquid crystal display device
US6597425B2 (en) 2000-05-12 2003-07-22 Sony Corporation Liquid crystal display device
US6642987B2 (en) * 2001-09-19 2003-11-04 Intel Corporation Built-in spacers for liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) devices
US6774955B2 (en) 2001-09-19 2004-08-10 Intel Corporation Built-in spacers for liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) devices
KR100480694B1 (en) * 2001-09-29 2005-04-06 엘지전자 주식회사 Reflective type Liquid Crystal Display Device
US20030160930A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2003-08-28 Ling-Yuan Tseng Method for forming spacers of micro-displays
US20040169793A1 (en) * 2002-04-04 2004-09-02 Masumitsu Ino Liquid crystal display
US6655788B1 (en) 2002-05-17 2003-12-02 Viztec Inc. Composite structure for enhanced flexibility of electro-optic displays with sliding layers
CN103576373A (en) * 2012-08-02 2014-02-12 瀚宇彩晶股份有限公司 Liquid crystal display panel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2009104166A (en) 2009-05-14
JPH10319413A (en) 1998-12-04
JP4530437B2 (en) 2010-08-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5978063A (en) Smart spacers for active matrix liquid crystal projection light valves
JP3680730B2 (en) Liquid crystal display
TWI225555B (en) Diffusive reflector, liquid crystal display using the same and manufacturing method thereof
KR100382586B1 (en) LCD and its manufacturing method
JPS63128315A (en) Liquid crystal display element
KR100248497B1 (en) Color lcd panel
JP2002096395A (en) Laminated film, method for manufacturing the same and method for manufacturing display device
US6137555A (en) Liquid crystal panel with uniform adhesive layer and method of manufacturing
JP2001311952A (en) Display element
JP2000019534A (en) Method for assembling stressless liquid crystal cell and its device
JPH1039318A (en) Liquid crystal display element
US20040125301A1 (en) In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device
JP4092177B2 (en) Liquid crystal display
JP4041703B2 (en) Curved liquid crystal display
JP3896191B2 (en) Color filter and color liquid crystal display device
JPH03168618A (en) Curved liquid crystal panel
JP3828976B2 (en) Liquid crystal display element and manufacturing method thereof
JP3732955B2 (en) Liquid crystal display
JP2002189212A (en) Display device and method for manufacturing the same
US6798479B2 (en) Liquid crystal display device and process for making the same
JPH10239705A (en) Liquid crystal display element
JPH07128671A (en) Liquid crystal display device
JPH06110063A (en) Color liquid crystal optical device and its production
JP2004212742A (en) Substrate for monochrome liquid crystal display
JP4159369B2 (en) Monochrome liquid crystal display substrate

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: XEROX CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CRAWFORD, GREGORY P.;HO, JACKSON;REEL/FRAME:008696/0465;SIGNING DATES FROM 19970410 TO 19970415

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

AS Assignment

Owner name: BANK ONE, NA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ILLINOIS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:XEROX CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:013153/0001

Effective date: 20020621

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

AS Assignment

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, TEXAS

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:XEROX CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:015134/0476

Effective date: 20030625

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT,TEXAS

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:XEROX CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:015134/0476

Effective date: 20030625

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

AS Assignment

Owner name: XEROX CORPORATION, NEW YORK

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:BANK ONE, NA;REEL/FRAME:020540/0850

Effective date: 20030625

Owner name: XEROX CORPORATION, NEW YORK

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, NA;REEL/FRAME:020540/0463

Effective date: 20061204

AS Assignment

Owner name: XEROX CORPORATION, NEW YORK

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO BANK ONE NA;REEL/FRAME:021291/0248

Effective date: 20071129

AS Assignment

Owner name: THOMSON LICENSING LLC, NEW JERSEY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:XEROX CORPORATION;PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:022575/0761;SIGNING DATES FROM 20080804 TO 20080805

Owner name: THOMSON LICENSING, FRANCE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THOMSON LICENSING LLC;REEL/FRAME:022575/0746

Effective date: 20081231

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12

AS Assignment

Owner name: XEROX CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK;REEL/FRAME:066728/0193

Effective date: 20220822